AnimaliaHighest rank in taxonomy. Groups all life into domains: Animalia, Plantae, Fungi, etc.IUCN LCInternational Union for Conservation of Nature — the world authority on species extinction risk, using standardized criteria. — Least Concern — widespread and abundant; not at immediate risk of extinction.In ProgressCurrent stage of this record in the editorial review workflow. Recent Sighting
Euphonia hirundinacea
Yellow-throated Euphonia
Bonaparte, 1838
Detailed Texts Multi-lang
It is a small, compact bird with a robust silhouette, emblematic of the Euphoniinae subfamily. It displays marked sexual dimorphism. The adult male features shiny blue-black dorsal plumage with purplish-violet iridescence under direct sunlight. Its most defining characteristic is that the entire ventral area, including the chin, throat, breast, and abdomen, is a bright, intense yellow. Additionally, it features a bright yellow patch on the forehead extending to the middle of the crown. The bill is short, thick, conical, and dark gray to black with a lighter base on the lower mandible. The legs are short and bluish-gray. The eyes have a dark brown iris.
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Julia Trouin
TaxonomyBiological classification ranks placing this species within the tree of life, from Kingdom down to Genus.
PhylumRank below Kingdom. Groups organisms sharing a fundamental body plan (e.g., Chordata = vertebrates and some invertebrates).Chordata
ClassRank below Phylum. Subdivides by structural traits (e.g., Mammalia, Aves, Reptilia, Insecta).Aves
OrderRank below Class. Groups related families sharing common ancestry (e.g., Carnivora, Primates).Passeriformes
FamilyRank below Order. Groups closely related genera (e.g., Felidae = cats, Canidae = dogs).Fringillidae
GenusRank just above Species. The first word in the two-part binomial scientific name.Euphonia
Taxonomic AuthorityThe scientist who first formally described and published this species, followed by the year of publication.Bonaparte, 1838
Record Completeness
94%Coming soon
Ecology & StatusHow this species lives: habitat preferences, diet, behavior, population status, and role in its ecosystem.
OriginWhether the species is native (evolved here), endemic (found only here), or introduced by human activity.
Native
Population TrendDirection of change in population size over time: increasing, stable, decreasing, or unknown.
Stable
Breeding SeasonTime of year when this species typically reproduces or flowers.
--
Trophic RolePosition in the food chain: producer, herbivore, carnivore, omnivore, decomposer, or parasite.
Frugivore
Recent SightingsWhether this species has been observed in the wild in Costa Rica within recent years.
Yes
Habitat SummaryOverview of the specific ecosystems and environments where this species is found in Costa Rica. Multi-lang
It is distributed from Mexico, throughout Central America, to northwestern Colombia. In Costa Rica, it is a common and widely distributed species in the lowlands and foothills of both slopes (Pacific and Caribbean), living from sea level to approximately 1,400 meters in altitude. It is primarily found along the edges of humid and dry forests, young secondary forests, wooded agricultural areas, coffee plantations, pastures with scattered trees, and urban or suburban gardens with an abundance of epiphytic and parasitic plants.BehaviourDaily activity patterns, movement, territory use, foraging style, and seasonal behavioral changes. Multi-lang
It is a diurnal, restless, and highly gregarious bird. It continuously moves through the middle and upper strata of vegetation, flying with rapid and direct wingbeats that generate a subtle sound. Outside the breeding season, it travels in small family groups or flocks of 6 to 30 individuals of its own species, searching for trees with an abundance of parasitic fruits. Its communication is constant; males emit a melodious, clear, two-note whistle that sounds like 'bii-bii' or 'chii-chii', interspersed with short metallic clicks to maintain group contact.Social ActivitySocial structure: whether the species is solitary, paired, or colonial; hierarchy and communication. Multi-lang
It exhibits markedly social behavior outside the breeding season, congregating freely with conspecifics and participating in mixed flocks with other euphonias and small tanagers. However, during the reproductive period, it is strictly territorial and monogamous, vigorously defending the chosen nesting tree through intense singing and warning flights against rival males.Feeding GuildWhat the species eats, how it forages or hunts, and its role as a consumer in the food web. Multi-lang
Frugivore highly specialized in the consumption of arils and berries. Its diet relies almost entirely on parasitic plants of the Phoradendron and Psittacanthus genera. It complements this caloric source with small wild figs and softer fruit pulp, occasionally ingesting small soft arthropods during the spring.Trophic Chain DetailsSpecific interactions in local food webs: prey species, predators, competitors, and scavengers. Multi-lang
It acts as a specialist consumer and crucial intermediary in the arboreal food web. It is the primary dispersal agent for mistletoe (Phoradendron and Oryctanthus), a hemiparasitic plant whose fruits are vital for forest biodiversity. It also consumes small berries of Ficus and from the Melastomataceae family. Although primarily frugivorous, it consumes small soft insects during chick rearing. It is preyed upon by small falcons such as the Bat Falcon (Falco albigularis), medium-sized nocturnal raptors, and arboreal snakes like Imantodes.Reproductive BehaviourMating strategies, courtship displays, nesting or spawning behavior, and parental care. Multi-lang
It is a monogamous bird notable for constructing a globular or enclosed nest with a side entrance, similar to a small oven. Both sexes actively cooperate in its building, using green moss, fine rootlets, plant fibers, and spider webs, commonly placing it at heights between 2 and 8 meters, hidden within dense masses of epiphytes, orchids, or mistletoes. The female lays 3 to 5 white eggs with reddish-brown spots or freckles. Incubation is performed exclusively by the female for a period of 13 to 14 days. Both parents feed the chicks via regurgitation with a thick paste of fruit and soft insects for 15 to 17 days until they fledge.Physical Measures
Length (cm)
9.5 - 10.5 cm
Weight (Grams)
14 g - 17 g
Offspring per cycleTypical number of young (live births, eggs, or seeds) produced by one adult in a single reproductive event or breeding season.3 - 5
Sexual DimorphismObservable physical differences between males and females of the same species (e.g., size, coloration, features).Yes
Lifespan
Sexual MaturityAge at which the individual becomes capable of reproducing for the first time.
1 Years
Gestation / IncubationDuration from fertilization to birth (mammals) or to hatching (egg-laying species).
13 - 14
Lifespan EstimatedExpected duration of life from birth to natural death under wild conditions.
Males4 - 7 Years
Females4 - 7 Years
Sexual DimorphismPhysical differences in size, coloration, or morphology between males and females of this species.
Males Multi-lang
The adult male possesses deep, lustrous blue-black dorsal plumage. It exhibits a well-defined bright yellow patch on the forehead and anterior crown. The entire underpart area (throat, breast, abdomen, and undertail coverts) is a uniform bright yellow. The bill is robust and black with a light gray base.
Females Multi-lang
The adult female features completely cryptic and dull plumage, lacking the shiny black and bright yellow colors of the male. Her upperparts are a uniform olive-green. The underparts are noticeably paler, displaying a light yellowish-gray or grayish-olive throat and breast, turning pale yellow only on the center of the abdomen.
Evolutionary AdaptationsInherited traits and behaviors that improve the species' survival and reproduction in its specific environment. Multi-lang
Intestinal Specialization for Mistletoe: It lacks a true muscular gizzard; its digestive tract is simplified as a smooth tube that rapidly processes sticky mistletoe arils, excreting intact and viable seeds in less than twenty minutes.
Selective Regurgitation Ability: It can mechanically separate nutritious pulp from large seeds inside its esophagus, regurgitating hard parts immediately to avoid overloading its body weight during flight.
Main ThreatsDocumented pressures reducing the population: habitat loss, hunting, disease, climate change, and invasive species. Multi-lang
Indiscriminate Use of Agrochemicals: In coffee plantations and agricultural zones, the intensive application of herbicides eliminates native shade trees that harbor the parasitic plants on which it completely relies for food.
Capture for the Songbird Trade: Due to its excellent mimetic capacity and melodious song, males are frequently captured with glue traps to be illegally traded as caged birds.
Interesting FactsSurprising or notable facts that highlight what makes this species unique or ecologically important. Multi-lang
Extraordinary Vocal Mimicry: It has an astonishing ability to mimic the songs and alarm calls of other local birds, such as orioles, tanagers, and even small raptors, weaving them into its own vocal repertoire.
Feces Dance Technique: When defecating slimy mistletoe seeds, it performs a quick sideways movement wiping its cloaca against the bark of the branch. This ensures the seed adheres firmly to the host tree instead of falling to the ground.